By Ahmed Ahmed
A Consortium, Health System Strengthening Cluster collaborates with the Bauchi State Government to improve healthcare outcomes in the state.
Hajiya Asmau Yahaya, Cluster team lead made the commitment during an advocacy visit to the State Ministries of health,Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination as well Primary health Care Board on Wednesday in Bauchi.
She said the cluster is implementing a project titled Improved Quality Healthcare Service Delivery through Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) to improve health care outcomes in the state.
She sought for strong partnership with the State government to strengthening the state’s Integrated Supportive Supervision with a view to improve health care services budget line
Yahaya expressed concern that the budgeted amount of the state’s 2024 quarter one for the integrated supportive supervision report indicated in the budget performance nothing was released to that aspect.
She also advocated for creation of an integrated supportive supervision technical working group and establishment of a private sector engagement unit in Primary health centers in three urban local government areas of the state.
She explained that the cluster comprises six Civil Society Organisations across the country, to include Life Transformation for Africa (LIFT4AFRICA), Council for Affirmative Action (COFA), and She Alert Care Foundation.
Others are, Bauchi State Network of Civil Societies (BASNEC) Women with Integrity & Development Initiative (WDIDI) and Better Life Restoration Initiative (BERI). With the support of USAID and Palladium.
Also, Mr Stephen Wudelwe, a member of the consortium solicited the support of the Ministry of budget on adequate allocation of funds in the health sector.
“We want to partner with the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination Health System strengthening cluster Improving (ISS) l,” he said.
On his part, Dr Adamu Sambo, the State commissioner of health urged for more community engagement to enable people to have access to quality healthcare services across the state.
He said communities have a vital role to play in ensuring improved healthcare services delivery, assures the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with partners to assist the government on improving the health outcomes in the state.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Chairman of the Primary health care development Board, pledged to work with the cluster to improve healthcare delivery.
Meanwhile , Alhaji Jibrin Yusuf, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Budget and planning appreciated the consortium for the initiative to improve health care services in the state
He however urged the consortium to advocate budget increments and releases from the line ministries for easy allocations of funds in the Ministry.